Rebirth of Mothra 3
The final film in the Rebirth of Mothra trilogy, this movie is considered the strongest entry. The environmental message has been toned down, the monster battles have improved, probably helped by the return of Grand King Ghidorah. The child protagonist is thoughtful and reserved, which many see as an improvement over his more vocal, childish predecessors. He and some of the Elias sisters go through character development, and actual tension is present.
Belvera has infiltrated Infant Island, tricking Moll and Lora into reviving the powers of the Elias Triangle. After a brief scuffle, she escapes, warning them of the approach of the King of Terror. A meteor lands in the forest of Fujiyoshida City, witnessed by the family of a troubled boy who dropped out of school. The boy, Shota Sonoda, goes to his favorite hiding spot in the forest. King Ghidorah has risen, spiriting children off to a dome in Aoki Forest and reigning destruction upon areas of Japan. There is a great aerial battle, but Mothra Leo is no match for King Ghidorah and Lora gets brainwashed in the process. Moll, Fairy, and Shota meet up and go to Leo, where he learns the children will become King Ghidorah's meal. Leo determine that the only way to stop the monster is to go back in time, and Moll sacrifices herself in the process. Her dying wish is for Shouta to save Lora, whose in the dome. While Mothra Leo squares off against the young but strong Cretaceous Ghidorah, Shota must save Lora before they and all the children are eaten by Ghidorah...
- Adult Fear: A giant, city destroying monster specifically targets your children for consumption!
- Anti-Hero: Belvera upgrades to this here.
- Child-Hater: Grand Ghidorah not only hates them but wants to eat them!
- Curb Stomp Battle: Mothra's first fight with King Ghidorah.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Belvera does actually care about her sisters.
- Heart Is an Awesome Power: Moll tells the protagonist of the story that his sensitivity is not a bad thing.
- New Powers as the Plot Demands: Apparently Aqua Mothra can go back in time.
- The Other Darrin: Instead of being played by Sayaki Yamaguchi, Lora is played by Misato Tate.
- Time Travel: The solution to stop King Ghidorah.
- Took a Level in Badass: Mothra in this film. For once Leo has to handle Ghidorah, at least he in his youth, all by himself and pulls a heroic sacrifice to stop him. It was nearly all for naught, a piece of Cretaceous Ghidorah remained in the past to regenerate and return in the present, only for Leo to get his usual Mid-Season Upgrade...except for once it felt genuinely earned.